British tank names always seem to begin with 'C'.Why?

[43rdRecceReg]

Perhaps it's common knowledge, but I only noticed late in the day, that all British tank names appear to begin with the letter 'C'. Thus: Comet, Cromwell, Churchill, Centurion, Cavalier, Challenger...and so on.
I don't include the 'Honey' and Sherman 'Firefly', since they were really US manufactured tanks- even though the Firefly sported the British made 17-Pounder gun.
Does anybody know how this 'C' naming tradition began?

[Black Knight]

This article may answer your question mate

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandque ... 61,00.html

[jarndice]

I have to spoil the party
"Independent, Matilda, Tetrarch, Avenger, Excelsior, Valiant, Tortoise, Black Prince".
Sorry just being awkward because I have been asking that same question and I have never found a definitive answer.
The above list comes to 8,
Below is the total of British Tanks beginning with "C"
Crusader, Cromwell, Churchill, Comet, Centurion, Conqueror, Chieftain, Challenger.
It also comes to 8

[General Jumbo01]

It's like all Russian tank names beginning with a T and US fighters with an F. Sorry, I'll get me coat.....

[971wright]

Well if they are not all beginning with C the best ones do begin with C lol


regards pete

[jarndice]

Oh come on Pete, Tetrarch, Ruler of a province, or Black Prince, regal and knightly. although Tortoise is a bit questionable

[43rdRecceReg]

It's like all Russian tank names beginning with a T and US fighters with an F. Sorry, I'll get me coat.....

Yes, but these aren't canks.

[43rdRecceReg]

Oh come on Pete, Tetrarch, Ruler of a province, or Black Prince, regal and knightly. although Tortoise is a bit questionable

The Black Prince was just a dolled up Churchill, Shaun. It never went into production, like the Tortoise.
However, just to update the 'c' collection, we have:
Cavalier, Centurion, Charioteer, Challenger (A30), Challenger (Mk 1 and 2- totally different from A30), Chieftain, Churchill, Comet, Conqueror, Covenanter, Cromwell, Crusader and various marks of Cruiser (although generic)

I make that 13... We can ignore the Catilda, Chippet, and Calentine.

[43rdRecceReg]

This article may answer your question mate

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandque ... 61,00.html

Thanks, that's an interesting wee article, and does add some clarity to the British naming practice. Normally I try to avoid the Grauniad, as it's the propaganda arm of Al Beeb, and a staunch supporter of all things 'snowflake' and PC. All the more unusual, then, that it should have a feature such as this one.

[jarndice]

I see your 13 and proffer my slightly dodgy 14,
Little Willy, Matilda1, Matilda 2, Whippet, Valentine, Independent, Excelsior, Valiant, Tortoise, Black Prince, Avenger, Tetrarch, Scorpion, Saladin.
I read the article and noted the comments that offered alternative reasons.